Pope calls on Pakistan to repeal blasphemy law

VATICAN CITY: Pope Benedict called on Monday for Pakistan to repeal its anti-blasphemy law, days after a senior Pakistani politician who opposed the legislation was assassinated by his own bodyguard.

The pope said the law served as a pretext for violence against religious minorities such as Christians in predominantly Muslim countries.

Speaking in his annual address to diplomats, dedicated this year almost exclusively to religious freedom, he also said Middle East governments must protect minority Christians, following bomb attacks against churches in Egypt and Iraq.

"Among the norms prejudicing the right of persons to religious freedom, particular mention must be made of the law against blasphemy in Pakistan," he told the ambassadors.

It is rare for a pope to use a public speech to specifically ask a country to change one of its laws, underscoring the concern he feels over threats to religious freedom, particularly in predominantly Muslim countries.

"I once more encourage the leaders of that country to take the necessary steps to abrogate that law, all the more so because it is clear that it serves as a pretext for acts of injustice and violence against religious minorities," he said.

The pope made reference to last week's murder of Salman Taseer, the governor of Punjab province and an outspoken liberal, who was gunned down for opposing the law, which imposes a death sentence for those who insult the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH).